The construction of 135 new social housing properties at the former St Patrick's Barracks site in Ballymena is progressing at pace - all part of the regeneration of the area from where the sounds of Killaloe rang out in years past from the band of the Royal Irish Regiment.
According to Radius Housing the development is still on target, with the handover of Phase One expected in early 2024. The new properties will deliver a much needed boost to the availability of high standard, energy efficient homes for families in the town.
The new social housing development is made up of:
• 53 three person, two bedroom two-storey houses
• 2 five person, three bedroom wheelchair/complex needs bungalows
• 40 five person, three bedroom two-storey houses
• 9 six person, four bedroom two-storey houses
• 26 three person, 2 bedroom, and 2 person, one bedroom apartments
• 6 three person, 2 bedroom CAT I - HAPPI standard apartments
Meanwhile work is continuing on the new £6M link road that will provide access across the area, connecting to the new housing development, a new modern building for Northern Regional College and sites understood to be earmarked for a new leisure centre, an innovation centre, and talk of a new police station for Ballymena.
Last year the then Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey said when completed the road will "benefit the people who live, work and visit Ballymena through new and enhanced linkages".
The new carriageway will connect from the Larne Road Link across the former barracks site to the Ecos Roundabout on Broughshane Road and is expected to open by the end of summer.
The housing phase of the regeneration marks an investment of approximately £20million, 50% of which is funded by the Department for Communities and 50% through private finance raised by Radius.
The housing led regeneration of the former St Patrick’s Barracks site is being taken forward by the Department for Communities, with Radius Housing leading with the housing element which forms a key part of the wider St Patrick’s Barracks masterplan.
The scheme is part of the NI Executive’s draft Programme for Government Shared Housing Programme ‘Housing for All’.